Uplink (ul) frequency-division duplex (fdd) subframe

ABSTRACT

Various aspects provide a subframe for uplink (UL) communication in a frequency-division duplex (FDD) configuration. Control information in the frequency range of the UL communication may include channel quality indicator (CQI) and acknowledgement (ACK) information. The CQI information may be provided prior to a demodulation reference signal (DMRS). The ACK information may be provided subsequent to another DMRS. The CQI information may be time-division multiplexed in a common frequency range as the ACK information. A sounding reference signal (SRS) may be provided as an initial symbol of the subframe. Some CQI information may be provided in two or more separate portions that are each prior to a separate DMRS. Some ACK information may be provided in two or more separate portions that are each subsequent to another separate DMRS.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/136,767, filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office onApr. 22, 2016, which claims priority to and benefit of provisionalpatent application No. 62/261,030 filed in the United States Patent andTrademark Office on Nov. 30, 2015, the entire contents of each of whichare hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference for all applicablepurposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Aspects of the present disclosure relate, generally, to wirelesscommunication systems and, more particularly, to an uplink (UL)frequency-division duplex (FDD) subframe. By utilizing aspects discussedbelow communication systems include features enabling and providing lowlatency transmissions and capable of use with multiple waveform types(such as orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) andsingle-carrier frequency-division multiplexing (SC-FDM), among others).

INTRODUCTION

Wireless communication networks are widely deployed to provide variouscommunication services such as telephony, video, data, messaging,broadcasts, and so on. Such networks, which are usually multiple accessnetworks, support communications for multiple users by sharing theavailable network resources. Within wireless networks a variety of dataservices may be provided, including voice, video, and emails.

The spectrum allocated to wireless communication networks can includelicensed spectrum and/or unlicensed spectrum. Licensed spectrum isgenerally restricted in its use as regulated by a governmental body orother authority within a given region. Unlicensed spectrum is generallyfree to use, within limits, without the purchase or use of a license.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME EXAMPLES

The following presents a simplified summary of one or more aspects ofthe present disclosure, in order to provide a basic understanding ofsuch aspects. This summary is not an extensive overview of allcontemplated features of the disclosure, and is intended neither toidentify key or critical elements of all aspects of the disclosure norto delineate the scope of any or all aspects of the disclosure. Its solepurpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects of thedisclosure in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detaileddescription that is presented later.

Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed totechniques for communicating between components of wireless networks.Communication can occur between traditionally defined network sidecomponents and user side components. Communications may also occurbetween user-perspective devices. To facilitate communications, devicesusually transmit information (sometimes referred to as an uplinkcommunication) to aid in setting up communications. Information can becontrol information (pertaining to network operation) as well as data orpayload (pertaining to the actual information users desire tocommunicate). Embodiments discussed in this disclosure generally relateto uplink communications including waveform, structure design, andcontrol information.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides an apparatus for wirelesscommunication. The apparatus includes a transceiver, a memory, and atleast one processor communicatively coupled to the transceiver and thememory. The at least one processor may be configured to utilize thetransceiver to transmit and/or receive control information in afrequency range of an UL communication, wherein the control informationmay include channel quality indicator (CQI) information andacknowledgement (ACK) information. The CQI information may betransmitted and/or received prior to a first demodulation referencesignal (DMRS). The ACK information may be transmitted and/or receivedsubsequent to a second DMRS. The second DMRS may subsequent to the firstDMRS.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for wirelesscommunication. The method may include transmitting and/or receivingcontrol information in a frequency range of an UL communication, whereinthe control information includes CQI information and ACK information.The CQI information may be transmitted and/or received prior to a firstDMRS. The ACK information may be transmitted and/or received subsequentto a second DMRS. The second DMRS may subsequent to the first DMRS.

In yet another aspect, the present disclosure provides acomputer-readable medium storing computer-executable code. Thecomputer-executable code may include instructions configured to transmitand/or receive control information in a frequency range of an ULcommunication, wherein the control information includes CQI informationand ACK information. The CQI information may be transmitted and/orreceived prior to a first DMRS. The ACK information may be transmittedand/or received subsequent to a second DMRS. The second DMRS maysubsequent to the first DMRS.

In a further aspect of the present disclosure, the present disclosureprovides an apparatus for wireless communication. The apparatus mayinclude means for transmitting and/or means for receiving controlinformation in a frequency range of an UL communication, wherein thecontrol information includes CQI information and ACK information. TheCQI information may be transmitted and/or received prior to a firstDMRS. The ACK information may be transmitted and/or received subsequentto a second DMRS. The second DMRS may subsequent to the first DMRS.

These and other aspects of the present disclosure will become more fullyunderstood upon a review of the detailed description, which follows.Other aspects, features, and embodiments of the present disclosure willbecome apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, upon reviewingthe following description of specific, exemplary embodiments of thepresent disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying figures. Whilefeatures of the present disclosure may be discussed relative to certainembodiments and figures below, all embodiments of the present disclosurecan include one or more of the advantageous features discussed herein.In other words, while one or more embodiments may be discussed as havingcertain advantageous features, one or more of such features may also beused in accordance with the various embodiments of the disclosurediscussed herein. In similar fashion, while exemplary embodiments may bediscussed below as device, system, or method embodiments it should beunderstood that such exemplary embodiments can be implemented in variousdevices, systems, and methods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of various communicationsbetween a scheduling entity and one or more subordinate entitiesaccording to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an implementation of ascheduling entity according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an implementation of thesubordinate entity according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a scheduling entity incommunication with a subordinate entity in an access network accordingto aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an uplink (UL) frequency-duplexdivision (FDD) subframe structure according to aspects of someconfigurations.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of various FDD subframesaccording to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of an UL FDD subframeaccording to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating yet another example of an UL FDDsubframe according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a further example of an UL FDD subframeaccording to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of various methods and/orprocesses performed by a subordinate entity according to aspects of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of various methods and/orprocesses performed by a scheduling entity according to aspects of thepresent disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF SOME EXAMPLES

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appendeddrawings is intended as a description of various configurations and isnot intended to represent the only configurations in which the conceptsdescribed herein may be practiced. The detailed description includesspecific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understandingof various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled inthe art that these concepts may be practiced without these specificdetails. In some instances, certain structures and components are shownin block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring such concepts.

The concepts presented throughout this disclosure may be implementedacross a broad variety of telecommunication systems, networkarchitectures, and communication standards. The 3rd GenerationPartnership Project (3GPP) is a standards body that defines severalwireless communication standards for networks involving an evolvedpacket system (EPS), which may sometimes be referred to as long-termevolution (LTE) network. In an LTE network, packets may utilize the sameor similar latency targets. As such, an LTE network may provide aone-size-fits-all latency configuration. Evolved versions of an LTEnetwork, such as a fifth-generation (5G) network, may provide manydifferent types of services and/or applications (e.g., web browsing,video streaming, VoIP, mission critical applications, multi-hopnetworks, remote operations with real-time feedback, tele-surgery, andothers).

FIG. 1 is a diagram 100 illustrating an example of variouscommunications between multiple wireless devices, including a schedulingentity 102 and one or more subordinate entities 104 according to aspectsof the present disclosure. The terms ‘scheduling entity’ and/or‘subordinate entity’ are names given to describe certaincharacterizations, functions, descriptions, and/or characteristics ofcertain devices. The structure of these devices may be similar ordifferent relative to each other without necessarily deviating from thescope of the present disclosure. Broadly, the scheduling entity 102 is anode or device responsible for scheduling traffic in a wirelesscommunication network, including various downlink (DL) and uplink (UL)transmissions. The scheduling entity 102 may sometimes be referred to asa scheduler, and/or any other suitable term without deviating from thescope of the present disclosure. The scheduling entity 102 may be, ormay reside within, a base station, a base transceiver station, a radiobase station, a radio transceiver, a transceiver function, a basicservice set, an extended service set, an access point, a Node B, a userequipment (UE) (examples provided below), a mesh node, a relay, a peer,and/or any other suitable device. Each of the illustrated schedulingentities 102 can communicate with one or more of the illustratedsubordinate entities 104 (and vice versa).

Broadly, the subordinate entity 104 is a node or device that receivesscheduling and/or control information, including but not limited toscheduling grants, synchronization or timing information, or othercontrol information from another entity in the wireless communicationnetwork, such as the scheduling entity 102. The subordinate entity 104may be a referred to as a schedulee, and/or any other suitable termwithout deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. Thesubordinate entity 104 may be, or may reside within, a UE, a cellularphone, a smart phone, a mobile station, a subscriber station, a mobileunit, a subscriber unit, a wireless unit, a remote unit, a mobiledevice, a wireless device, a wireless communications device, a remotedevice, a mobile subscriber station, an access terminal, a mobileterminal, a wireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, a terminal,a user agent, a mobile client, a client, a mesh node, a peer, a sessioninitiation protocol phone, a laptop, a notebook, a netbook, a smartbook,a personal digital assistant, a satellite radio, a global positioningsystem device, a multimedia device, a video device, a digital audioplayer, a camera, a game console, an entertainment device, a vehiclecomponent, a wearable computing device (e.g., a smart watch, glasses, ahealth or fitness tracker, etc.), an appliance, a sensor, a vendingmachine, and/or any other suitable device.

The scheduling entity 102 may transmit DL data channel(s) 106 and DLcontrol channel(s) 108. As used herein, ‘control channel(s)’ maysometimes be used to communicate grant information. The subordinateentity 104 may transmit UL data channel(s) 110 and UL control channel(s)112. The channels illustrated in FIG. 1 are not necessarily all of thechannels that may be utilized by the scheduling entity 102 and/or thesubordinate entity 104. Those of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize that other channels may be utilized in addition to thoseillustrated, such as other data, control, and feedback channels. As usedherein, the term ‘downlink’ or ‘DL’ may refer to a point-to-multipointtransmission originating at the scheduling entity 102, and the term‘uplink’ or ‘UL’ may refer to a point-to-point transmission originatingat the subordinate entity 104. According to aspects of the presentdisclosure, the term(s) ‘communicate’ and/or ‘communicating’ refer totransmission and/or reception. One of ordinary skill in the art willunderstand that many types of technologies may perform suchcommunication without deviating from the scope of the presentdisclosure. As used herein, the term ‘DL-centric time-division duplex(TDD) subframe’ refers to a TDD subframe in which a substantialproportion (e.g., majority) of the information is communicated in the DLdirection, even though some of the information may be communicated inthe UL direction. Also, the term ‘UL-centric TDD subframe’ refers to aTDD subframe in which a substantial proportion (e.g., majority) of theinformation is communicated in the UL direction, even though someinformation may be communicated in the DL direction.

FIG. 2 is a diagram 200 illustrating an example of an implementation ofthe scheduling entity 102 according to various aspects of the presentdisclosure. The scheduling entity 102 may include a user interface 212.The user interface 212 may be configured to receive one or more inputsfrom a user of the scheduling entity 102. In some configurations, theuser interface 212 may be a keypad, a display, a speaker, a microphone,a joystick, and/or any other suitable component of the scheduling entity102. The user interface 212 may exchange data via the bus interface 208.The scheduling entity 102 may also include a transceiver 210. Thetransceiver 210 may be configured to receive data and/or transmit datain communication with another apparatus. The transceiver 210 provides ameans for communicating with another apparatus via a wired or wirelesstransmission medium. The transceiver 210 may be configured to performsuch communications using various types of technologies withoutdeviating from the scope of the present disclosure.

The scheduling entity 102 may also include a memory 214, one or moreprocessors 204, a computer-readable medium 206, and a bus interface 208.The bus interface 208 may provide an interface between a bus 216 and thetransceiver 210. The memory 214, the one or more processors 204, thecomputer-readable medium 206, and the bus interface 208 may be connectedtogether via the bus 216. The processor 204 may be communicativelycoupled to the transceiver 210 and/or the memory 214.

The processor 204 may also include a frequency selection circuit 220.The frequency selection circuit 220 may include various hardwarecomponents and/or may perform various algorithms that provide the meansfor selecting a frequency range for UL communication. A selectedfrequency range for UL communication is different from a frequency rangeof DL communication. The processor 204 may include a transmissioncircuit 221. The transmission circuit 221 may include various hardwarecomponents and/or may perform various algorithms that provide the meansfor transmitting control information in the frequency range of the ULcommunication. The control information may include CQI information andACK information. The CQI information may be transmitted prior to a firstdemodulation reference signal (DMRS). The ACK information may betransmitted subsequent to a second DMRS. In some configurations, thetransmission circuit 221 may include various hardware components and/ormay perform various algorithms that provide the means for transmitting aheader to a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH). A header can includeadditional control information that includes additional CQI information.In some configurations, the transmission circuit 221 may include varioushardware components and/or may perform various algorithms that providethe means for transmitting a sounding reference signal (SRS) as aninitial symbol of a subframe of the UL communication.

The processor 204 may also include a reception circuit 222. Thereception circuit 222 may include various hardware components and/or mayperform various algorithms that provide the means for receivingscheduling information configured to dedicate one or more resources inthe control channel for the CQI information. The foregoing descriptionprovides a non-limiting example of the processor 204 of the schedulingentity 102. Although various circuits 220, 221, 222 are described above,one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the processor 204may also include various other circuits 223 that are in addition and/oralternative(s) to the aforementioned circuits 220, 221, 222. Such othercircuits 223 may provide the means for performing any one or more of thefunctions, methods, processes, features and/or aspects described herein.

The computer-readable medium 206 may include various computer-executableinstructions. The computer-executable instructions may includecomputer-executable code configured to perform various functions and/orenable various aspects described herein. The computer-executableinstructions may be executed by various hardware components (e.g., theprocessor 204 and/or any of its circuits 220, 221, 222, 223) of thescheduling entity 102. The computer-executable instructions may be apart of various software programs and/or software modules. Thecomputer-readable medium 206 may include frequency selectioninstructions 240. The frequency selection instructions 240 may includecomputer-executable instructions configured for selecting a frequencyrange for UL communication. The selected frequency range for ULcommunication is different from a frequency range of DL communication.The computer-readable medium 206 may also include transmissioninstructions 241. The transmission instructions 241 may be configuredfor transmitting control information in the frequency range of the ULcommunication. The control information may include CQI information andACK information. The CQI information may be transmitted prior to a firstDMRS. The ACK information may be transmitted subsequent to a secondDMRS. In some configurations, the transmission instructions 241 may beconfigured for transmitting a header to a PUSCH. The header includesadditional control information that includes additional CQI information.In some configurations, the transmission instructions 241 may beconfigured for transmitting an SRS as an initial symbol of a subframe ofthe UL communication.

The computer-readable medium 206 may also include reception instructions242. The reception instructions 242 may include computer-executableinstructions configured for receiving scheduling information configuredto dedicate one or more resources in the control channel for the CQIinformation. The foregoing description provides a non-limiting exampleof the computer-readable medium 206 of the scheduling entity 102.Although various computer-executable instructions 240, 241, 242 aredescribed above, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand thatthe computer-readable medium 206 may also include various othercomputer-executable instructions 243 that are in addition and/oralternative(s) to the aforementioned computer-executable instructions240, 241, 242. Such other computer-executable instructions 243 may beconfigured for any one or more of the functions, methods, processes,features and/or aspects described herein.

The memory 214 may include various memory modules. The memory modulesmay be configured to store, and have read therefrom, various valuesand/or information by the processor 204, or any of its circuits 220,221, 222, 223. The memory modules may also be configured to store, andhave read therefrom, various values and/or information upon execution ofthe computer-executable code included in the computer-readable medium206, or any of its instructions 240, 241, 242, 243. The memory 214 mayinclude control information 230. The control information 230 may includevarious types, quantities, configurations, arrangements, and/or forms ofCQI information, ACK information, and other suitable forms ofinformation without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.The memory may also include reference signal information 231. Thereference signal information 231 may include various types, quantities,configurations, arrangements, and/or forms of DMRSs, UE-specificreference signals (UERSs), and other suitable information correspondingto reference signals without deviating from the scope of the presentdisclosure. The foregoing description provides a non-limiting example ofthe memory 214 of the scheduling entity 102. Although various types ofdata of the memory 214 are described above, one of ordinary skill in theart will understand that the memory 214 may also include various otherdata that are in addition and/or alternative(s) to the aforementioneddata 230, 231. Such other data may be associated with any one or more ofthe functions, methods, processes, features and/or aspects describedherein.

One of ordinary skill in the art will also understand that thescheduling entity 102 may include alternative and/or additional featureswithout deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. Inaccordance with various aspects of the present disclosure, an element,or any portion of an element, or any combination of elements may beimplemented with a processing system that includes one or moreprocessors 204. Examples of the one or more processors 204 includemicroprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs),field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices(PLDs), state machines, gated logic, discrete hardware circuits, andother suitable hardware configured to perform the various functionalitydescribed throughout this disclosure. The processing system may beimplemented with a bus architecture, represented generally by the bus216 and bus interface 208. The bus 216 may include any number ofinterconnecting buses and bridges depending on the specific applicationof the processing system and the overall design constraints. The bus 216may link together various circuits including the one or more processors204, the memory 214, and the computer-readable medium 206. The bus 216may also link various other circuits such as timing sources,peripherals, voltage regulators, and power management circuits.

The one or more processors 204 may be responsible for managing the bus216 and general processing, including the execution of software storedon the computer-readable medium 206. The software, when executed by theone or more processors 204, causes the processing system to perform thevarious functions described below for any one or more apparatuses. Thecomputer-readable medium 206 may also be used for storing data that ismanipulated by the one or more processors 204 when executing software.Software shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instructionsets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, softwaremodules, applications, software applications, software packages,routines, subroutines, objects, executables, threads of execution,procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware,middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise. Thesoftware may reside on the computer-readable medium 206.

The computer-readable medium 206 may be a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium. A non-transitory computer-readable mediumincludes, by way of example, a magnetic storage device (e.g., hard disk,floppy disk, magnetic strip), an optical disk (e.g., a compact disc (CD)or a digital versatile disc (DVD)), a smart card, a flash memory device(e.g., a card, a stick, or a key drive), a random access memory (RAM), aread only memory (ROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable PROM(EPROM), an electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), a register, a removabledisk, and any other suitable medium for storing software and/orinstructions that may be accessed and read by a computer. Thecomputer-readable medium 206 may also include, by way of example, acarrier wave, a transmission line, and any other suitable medium fortransmitting software and/or instructions that may be accessed and readby a computer. The computer-readable medium 206 may reside in theprocessing system, external to the processing system, or distributedacross multiple entities including the processing system. Thecomputer-readable medium 206 may be embodied in a computer programproduct. By way of example and not limitation, a computer programproduct may include a computer-readable medium in packaging materials.Those skilled in the art will recognize how best to implement thedescribed functionality presented throughout this disclosure dependingon the particular application and the overall design constraints imposedon the overall system.

FIG. 3 is a diagram 300 illustrating an example of an implementation ofthe subordinate entity 104 according to various aspects of the presentdisclosure. The subordinate entity 104 may include a user interface 312.The user interface 312 may be configured to receive one or more inputsfrom a user of the subordinate entity 104. In some configurations, theuser interface 312 may be a keypad, a display, a speaker, a microphone,a joystick, and/or any other suitable component of the subordinateentity 104. The user interface 312 may exchange data via the businterface 308. The subordinate entity 104 may also include a transceiver310. The transceiver 310 may be configured to receive data and/ortransmit data in communication with another apparatus. The transceiver310 provides a means for communicating with another apparatus via awired or wireless transmission medium. The transceiver 310 may beconfigured to perform such communications using various types oftechnologies without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.

The subordinate entity 104 may also include a memory 314, one or moreprocessors 304, a computer-readable medium 306, and a bus interface 308.The bus interface 308 may provide an interface between a bus 316 and thetransceiver 310. The memory 314, the one or more processors 304, thecomputer-readable medium 306, and the bus interface 308 may be connectedtogether via the bus 316. The processor 304 may be communicativelycoupled to the transceiver 310 and/or the memory 314.

The processor 304 may also include a frequency selection circuit 320.The frequency selection circuit 320 may include various hardwarecomponents and/or may perform various algorithms that provide the meansfor selecting a frequency range for UL communication. The selectedfrequency range for UL communication is different from a frequency rangeof DL communication.

The processor 304 may include a reception circuit 321. The receptioncircuit 321 may include various hardware components and/or may performvarious algorithms that provide the means for receiving controlinformation in the frequency range of the UL communication. The controlinformation may include CQI information and ACK information. The CQIinformation may be received prior to a first DMRS. The ACK informationmay be received subsequent to a second DMRS. In some configurations, thereception circuit 321 may include various hardware components and/or mayperform various algorithms that provide the means for receiving a headerto a PUSCH. The header includes additional control information thatincludes additional CQI information. In some configurations, thereception circuit 321 may include various hardware components and/or mayperform various algorithms that provide the means for receiving an SRSas an initial symbol of a subframe of the UL communication.

The processor 304 may also include a transmission circuit 322. Thetransmission circuit 322 may include various hardware components and/ormay perform various algorithms that provide the means for transmittingscheduling information configured to dedicate one or more resources inthe control channel for the CQI information. The foregoing descriptionprovides a non-limiting example of the processor 304 of the subordinateentity 104. Although various circuits 320, 321, 322 are described above,one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the processor 304may also include various other circuits 323 that are in addition and/oralternative(s) to the aforementioned circuits 320, 321, 322. Such othercircuits 323 may provide the means for performing any one or more of thefunctions, methods, processes, features and/or aspects described herein.

The computer-readable medium 306 may include various computer-executableinstructions. The computer-executable instructions may includecomputer-executable code configured to perform various functions and/orenable various aspects described herein. The computer-executableinstructions may be executed by various hardware components (e.g., theprocessor 304 and/or any of its circuits 320, 321, 322, 323) of thesubordinate entity 104. The computer-executable instructions may be apart of various software programs and/or software modules. Thecomputer-readable medium 306 may include frequency selectioninstructions 340. The frequency selection instructions 340 may includecomputer-executable instructions configured for selecting a frequencyrange for UL communication. The selected frequency range for ULcommunication is different from a frequency range of DL communication.The computer-readable medium 306 may also include reception instructions341. The reception instructions 341 may be configured for receivingcontrol information in the frequency range of the UL communication. Thecontrol information may include CQI information and ACK information. TheCQI information may be received prior to a first DMRS. The ACKinformation may be received subsequent to a second DMRS. In someconfigurations, the reception instructions 341 may be configured forreceiving a header to a PUSCH. The header includes additional controlinformation that includes additional CQI information. In someconfigurations, the reception instructions 341 may be configured forreceiving an SRS as an initial symbol of a subframe of the ULcommunication.

The computer-readable medium 306 may also include transmissioninstructions 342. The transmission instructions 342 may includecomputer-executable instructions configured for transmitting schedulinginformation configured to dedicate one or more resources in the controlchannel for the CQI information. The foregoing description provides anon-limiting example of the computer-readable medium 306 of thesubordinate entity 104. Although various computer-executableinstructions 340, 341, 342 are described above, one of ordinary skill inthe art will understand that the computer-readable medium 306 may alsoinclude various other computer-executable instructions 343 that are inaddition and/or alternative(s) to the aforementioned computer-executableinstructions 340, 341, 342. Such other computer-executable instructions343 may be configured for any one or more of the functions, methods,processes, features and/or aspects described herein.

The memory 314 may include various memory modules. The memory modulesmay be configured to store, and have read therefrom, various valuesand/or information by the processor 304, or any of its circuits 320,321, 322, 323. The memory modules may also be configured to store, andhave read therefrom, various values and/or information upon execution ofthe computer-executable code included in the computer-readable medium306, or any of its instructions 340, 341, 342, 343. The memory 314 mayinclude control information 330. The control information 330 may includevarious types, quantities, configurations, arrangements, and/or forms ofCQI information, ACK information, and other suitable forms ofinformation without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.The memory may also include reference signal information 331. Thereference signal information 331 may include various types, quantities,configurations, arrangements, and/or forms of DMRSs, UERSs, and othersuitable information corresponding to reference signals withoutdeviating from the scope of the present disclosure. The foregoingdescription provides a non-limiting example of the memory 314 of thesubordinate entity 104. Although various types of data of the memory 314are described above, one of ordinary skill in the art will understandthat the memory 314 may also include various other data that are inaddition and/or alternative(s) to the aforementioned data 330, 331. Suchother data may be associated with any one or more of the functions,methods, processes, features and/or aspects described herein.

One of ordinary skill in the art will also understand that thesubordinate entity 104 may include alternative and/or additionalfeatures without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. Inaccordance with various aspects of the present disclosure, an element,or any portion of an element, or any combination of elements may beimplemented with a processing system that includes one or moreprocessors 304. Examples of the one or more processors 304 includemicroprocessors, microcontrollers, DSPs, FPGAs, PLDs, state machines,gated logic, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable hardwareconfigured to perform the various functionality described throughoutthis disclosure. The processing system may be implemented with a busarchitecture, represented generally by the bus 316 and bus interface308. The bus 316 may include any number of interconnecting buses andbridges depending on the specific application of the processing systemand the overall design constraints. The bus 316 may link togethervarious circuits including the one or more processors 304, the memory314, and the computer-readable medium 306. The bus 316 may also linkvarious other circuits such as timing sources, peripherals, voltageregulators, and power management circuits.

The one or more processors 304 may be responsible for managing the bus316 and general processing, including the execution of software storedon the computer-readable medium 306. The software, when executed by theone or more processors 304, causes the processing system to perform thevarious functions described below for any one or more apparatuses. Thecomputer-readable medium 306 may also be used for storing data that ismanipulated by the one or more processors 304 when executing software.Software shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instructionsets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, softwaremodules, applications, software applications, software packages,routines, subroutines, objects, executables, threads of execution,procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware,middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise. Thesoftware may reside on the computer-readable medium 306.

The computer-readable medium 306 may be a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium. A non-transitory computer-readable mediumincludes, by way of example, a magnetic storage device (e.g., hard disk,floppy disk, magnetic strip), an optical disk (e.g., a CD or a DVD), asmart card, a flash memory device (e.g., a card, a stick, or a keydrive), a RAM, a ROM, a PROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM, a register, aremovable disk, and any other suitable medium for storing softwareand/or instructions that may be accessed and read by a computer. Thecomputer-readable medium 306 may also include, by way of example, acarrier wave, a transmission line, and any other suitable medium fortransmitting software and/or instructions that may be accessed and readby a computer. The computer-readable medium 306 may reside in theprocessing system, external to the processing system, or distributedacross multiple entities including the processing system. Thecomputer-readable medium 306 may be embodied in a computer programproduct. By way of example and not limitation, a computer programproduct may include a computer-readable medium in packaging materials.Those skilled in the art will recognize how best to implement thedescribed functionality presented throughout this disclosure dependingon the particular application and the overall design constraints imposedon the overall system.

FIG. 4 is a diagram 400 of the scheduling entity 102 in communicationwith the subordinate entity 104 in an access network according toaspects of the present disclosure. In a DL scenario, upper layer packetsfrom the core network are provided to a controller/processor 475. Thecontroller/processor 475 implements the functionality of the L2 layer.In the DL, the controller/processor 475 provides header compression,ciphering, packet segmentation and reordering, multiplexing betweenlogical and transport channels, and radio resource allocations to thesubordinate entity 104 based on various priority metrics. Thecontroller/processor 475 is also responsible for HARQ operations,retransmission of lost packets, and signaling to the subordinate entity104.

The transmit (TX) processor 416 implements various signal processingfunctions for the L1 layer (i.e., physical layer). The signal processingfunctions include coding and interleaving to facilitate forward errorcorrection (FEC) at the subordinate entity 104 and mapping to signalconstellations based on various modulation schemes (e.g., binaryphase-shift keying (BPSK), quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK),M-phase-shift keying (M-PSK), M-quadrature amplitude modulation(M-QAM)). The coded and modulated symbols are then split into parallelstreams. Each stream is then mapped to an OFDM subcarrier, multiplexedwith a reference signal (e.g., pilot) in the time and/or frequencydomain, and then combined together using an Inverse Fast FourierTransform (IFFT) to produce a physical channel carrying a time domainOFDM symbol stream. The OFDM stream is spatially precoded to producemultiple spatial streams Channel estimates from a channel estimator 474may be used to determine the coding and modulation scheme, as well asfor spatial processing. The channel estimate may be derived from areference signal and/or channel condition feedback transmitted by thesubordinate entity 104. Each spatial stream may then be provided to adifferent antenna 420 via a separate transmitter 418TX. Each transmitter418TX may modulate an RF carrier with a respective spatial stream fortransmission.

Each receiver 418RX may be configured to receive wireless signals ofvarious types, schemes, configurations, and/or modulations. The RXprocessor 470 may be configured to receive, decode, demodulate, and/orotherwise process any UL signal that is received by the receiver 418RX.In some examples, the UL signal is adapted for orthogonalfrequency-division multiple access (OFDMA), which is a multi-userversion of the modulation scheme referred to as orthogonalfrequency-division multiplexing (OFDM). In some examples, the UL signalis adapted for single-carrier frequency-division multiple access(SC-FDMA). Such signals may even co-exist in some examples. In otherwords, the RX processor 470 and the receiver 418RX may perform ULcommunication using waveforms that may co-exist in OFDMA and SC-FDMA.

At the subordinate entity 104, each receiver 454RX receives a signalthrough its respective antenna 452. Each receiver 454RX recoversinformation modulated onto an RF carrier and provides the information toa receive (RX) processor 456. The RX processor 456 implements varioussignal processing functions of the L1 layer. The RX processor 456 mayperform spatial processing on the information to recover any spatialstreams destined for the subordinate entity 104. If multiple spatialstreams are destined for the subordinate entity 104, they may becombined by the RX processor 456 into a single OFDM symbol stream. TheRX processor 456 then converts the OFDM symbol stream from thetime-domain to the frequency domain using a Fast Fourier Transform(FFT). The frequency domain signal comprises a separate OFDM symbolstream for each subcarrier of the OFDM signal. The symbols on eachsubcarrier, and the reference signal, are recovered and demodulated bydetermining the most likely signal constellation points transmitted bythe scheduling entity 102. These soft decisions may be based on channelestimates computed by the channel estimator 458. The soft decisions arethen decoded and deinterleaved to recover the data and control signalsthat were originally transmitted by the scheduling entity 102 on thephysical channel. The data and control signals are then provided to thecontroller/processor 459.

The controller/processor 459 implements the L2 layer. Thecontroller/processor can be associated with a memory 460 that storesprogram codes and data. The memory 460 may be referred to as acomputer-readable medium. In the UL, the controller/processor 459provides demultiplexing between transport and logical channels, packetreassembly, deciphering, header decompression, control signal processingto recover upper layer packets from the core network. The upper layerpackets are then provided to a data sink 462, which represents all theprotocol layers above the L2 layer. Various control signals may also beprovided to the data sink 462 for L3 processing. Thecontroller/processor 459 is also responsible for error detection usingan ACK and/or negative acknowledgement (NACK) protocol to support HARQoperations.

In the UL, a data source 467 is used to provide upper layer packets tothe controller/processor 459. The data source 467 represents allprotocol layers above the L2 layer. Similar to the functionalitydescribed in connection with the DL transmission by the schedulingentity 102, the controller/processor 459 implements the L2 layer for theuser plane and the control plane by providing header compression,ciphering, packet segmentation and reordering, and multiplexing betweenlogical and transport channels based on radio resource allocations bythe scheduling entity 102. The controller/processor 459 is alsoresponsible for HARQ operations, retransmission of lost packets, andsignaling to the scheduling entity 102.

Channel estimates derived by a channel estimator 458 from a referencesignal or feedback transmitted by the scheduling entity 102 may be usedby the TX processor 468 to select the appropriate coding and modulationschemes, and to facilitate spatial processing. The spatial streamsgenerated by the TX processor 468 may be provided to different antenna452 via separate transmitters 454TX. Each transmitter 454TX may modulatean RF carrier with a respective spatial stream for transmission.

Each transmitter 454TX may be configured to transmit wireless signals ofvarious types, schemes, configurations, and/or modulations. The TXprocessor 468 may be configured to generate, encode, modulate, and/orotherwise produce any UL signal that is transmitted by the transmitter454TX. In some examples, the UL signal is adapted for OFDMA. In someexamples, the UL signal is adapted for SC-FDMA. Such signals may evenco-exist in some examples. In other words, the TX processor 468 and thetransmitter 454TX may perform UL communication using waveforms thatco-exist in OFDMA and SC-FDMA.

The UL transmission is processed at the scheduling entity 102 in amanner similar to that described in connection with the receiverfunction at the subordinate entity 104. Each receiver 418RX receives asignal through its respective antenna 420. Each receiver 418RX recoversinformation modulated onto an RF carrier and provides the information toa RX processor 470. The RX processor 470 may implement the L1 layer.

The controller/processor 475 implements the L2 layer. Thecontroller/processor 475 can be associated with a memory 476 that storesprogram codes and data. The memory 476 may be referred to as acomputer-readable medium. In the UL, the control/processor 475 providesde-multiplexing between transport and logical channels, packetreassembly, deciphering, header decompression, control signal processingto recover upper layer packets from the subordinate entity 104. Upperlayer packets from the controller/processor 475 may be provided to thecore network. The controller/processor 475 is also responsible for errordetection using an ACK and/or NACK protocol to support HARQ operations.

FIG. 5 is a diagram 500 illustrating an UL frequency-duplex division(FDD) subframe structure. In some scenarios, the structure may beimplemented in LTE. In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, the UL FDDsubframe includes a common Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) 502,504. The PUCCH that spans nearly the entire duration of the UL FDDsubframe. Generally, a PUCCH carries control information in the ULdirection (e.g., from a subordinate entity 104 to a scheduling entity102). The common PUCCH 502, 504 may be a common resource that is notnecessarily dedicate to a particular subordinate entity 104. The controlinformation included in the common PUCCH 502, 504 may include ACKinformation as well other information, such as CQI information and/orscheduling request (SR) information. The UL FDD subframe may alsoinclude various control channels 506, 507, 511, 513, which may be nearreference signals, such as DMRSs 508, 512.

Generally, a DMRS is a type of UL reference signal that may be utilizedfor channel estimation and/or interference estimation. The DMRS may havea known sequence and/or modulation. Accordingly, the scheduling entity102 receiving the DMRS transmitted by the subordinate entity 104 maydetermine the condition of the channel and/or how other concurrentcommunications might be interfering with that UL FDD subframe.Information communicated near reference signals may be relativelyreliable due to a better channel estimate. In the example illustrated inFIG. 5, the PUSCH 510 may be communicated near certain reference signals(e.g., DMRSs 508, 512). The PUSCH 510 may carry information from aparticular subordinate entity (e.g., UE1). In some configurations, asillustrated in FIG. 5, the last symbol of the UL FDD subframe is an SRS514. Generally, an SRS is another type of UL reference signal. In someexamples, the SRS is used by the scheduling entity 102 to estimate theUL channel conditions for scheduling.

Notably, in some configurations, control information spans across nearlyan entire duration of the UL FDD subframe. For example, referring toFIG. 5, the common PUCCH 502, 504 includes control information, and thecommon PUCCH 502, 504 spans nearly an entire duration of the UL FDDsubframe. As described above, the control information included in thecommon PUCCH 502, 504 may include ACK information as well otherinformation, such as CQI information and/or SR information. Because theACK information may span nearly an entire duration of the UL FDDsubframe, nearly an entire UL FDD subframe may need to be received,decoded, demodulated, and/or processed for that ACK information. Aspectsthat enable a relatively faster turnaround time for providing ACKinformation in the UL FDD subframe may enhance the overall communicationand user experience.

FIG. 6 is a diagram 600 illustrating an example of various FDD subframesaccording to aspects of the present disclosure. More specifically, FIG.6 illustrates an example of UL FDD subframes and DL FDD subframes. Oneof ordinary skill in the art will understand that the examples of FDDsubframes shown in FIG. 6 are provided for illustrative and discussionpurposes and shall not necessarily limit the scope of the presentdisclosure. Alternative configurations of FDD subframes exist and arewithin the scope of the present disclosure. In the non-limiting examplesillustrated in FIG. 6, each DL FDD subframe includes a Physical DownlinkControl Channel (PDCCH) 602, 606, 610 and DL data 604, 608, 612. Also inthe non-limiting examples illustrated in FIG. 6, each UL FDD subframeincludes (i) CQI information 614, 618 and ACK information 616, 620 in afirst frequency range of the UL FDD subframe and (ii) UL data 622, 624in a second frequency range of the UL FDD subframe.

The ACK information 616, 620 in the UL FDD subframe may respectivelycorrespond to DL data 604, 608 in the DL FDD subframe. For example, theACK information 616 in an UL FDD subframe may correspond to a precedingDL data 604 in the DL FDD subframe. In other words, the ACK information616 in the UL FDD subframe may indicate whether that DL data 604 wassuccessfully received and decoded. If so, the ACK information 616 mayinclude an ACK message; otherwise, the ACK information 616 may include aNACK message. If the ACK information 616 includes a NACK message, thePDCCH 610 may schedule a retransmission of the data in a DL data 612 ofa subsequent DL FDD subframe. These aspects may enable a relatively fastturnaround time for providing ACK information in the UL FDD subframe.Additional information related to the aspects describe with reference toFIG. 6 is provided below.

FIG. 7 is a diagram 700 illustrating another example of an UL FDDsubframe according to aspects of the present disclosure. In someconfigurations, the example illustrated in FIG. 7 may be referred to asa single-carrier frequency-division multiplexing (SC-FDM) design withoutdeviating from the scope of the present disclosure. One of ordinaryskill in the art will understand that control information may beincluded in many forms, types, structures, and/or configurations withoutdeviating from the scope of the present disclosure. In the exampleillustrated in FIG. 7, control information includes CQI/SR information704, 708 that is time-multiplexed with ACK information 706, 710. Inother words, the CQI/SR information 704, 708 utilizes a particularfrequency range for a first period of time, and the ACK information 706,710 utilizes that particular frequency range for a second period oftime. In comparison, referring to FIG. 5, some configurations havecontrol information included in common PUCCH 502, 504, and that commonPUCCH 502, 504 may include ACK, CQI, and SR information and may occupynearly an entire duration of the UL FDD subframe. However, the ACKinformation 706, 710 illustrated in FIG. 7 occupies less than nearly anentire duration of the UL FDD subframe. Although the ACK information706, 710 illustrated in FIG. 7 occupies a later time portion of the ULFDD subframe, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that thatthe ACK information 706, 710 may alternatively occupy any earlier timeportion of the UL FDD subframe without deviating from the scope of thepresent disclosure.

As described above, some ACK information included in the UL FDD subframeillustrated in FIG. 7 may correspond to a preceding DL datatransmission. Put another way, some ACK information included in the ULFDD subframe illustrated in FIG. 7 may indicate whether a preceding DLdata transmission was successful. For example, the ACK information 718may correspond to the transmission of DL data, which may occur in a DLFDD subframe that precedes the UL FDD subframe in which that ACKinformation 718 is communicated. In some circumstances, the UL TDDsubframe may (at least in part) overlap with the DL FDD subframe.According to some aspects of the present disclosure, the ACK information718 corresponding to that DL data may be included in a part of the ULFDD subframe, as illustrated in FIG. 7. Accordingly, unlike somesystems, such ACK information 718 can be transmitted without waiting forthe end of that UL 1-DD subframe. These and various other aspectsdescribed herein may enable a relatively quicker turnaround time forcommunicating the ACK information 718 relative to some systems.

As described above, in some configurations, the ACK information 718 mayoccur near-in-time to the second DMRS 716, as illustrated in FIG. 7,instead of near-in-time to the first DMRS 714. By providing the ACKinformation 718 near-in-time to the second DMRS 716, instead ofnear-in-time to the first DMRS 714, there exists a greater likelihoodthat the corresponding transmission of DL data will be complete (e.g.,received, decoded, demodulated, processed, etc.) prior to the time inthe UL FDD subframe at which the ACK information 718 is communicated.Accordingly, the aforementioned quicker turnaround time forcommunicating the ACK information 718 can apply to a greater proportionof DL data transmissions.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 7, the ACK information 718 isprovided subsequent to the second DMRS 716, instead of prior to thesecond DMRS 716. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand thatboth of these configurations are within the scope of the presentdisclosure. Nevertheless, in some configurations, providing the ACKinformation 718 subsequent to the second DMRS 716, instead of prior tothe second DMRS, may allow even more time for complete transmission ofthe DL data (e.g., receipt, decoding, demodulation, processing, etc.)than might otherwise be allowed if the ACK information 718 was providedprior to the second DMRS 716.

The timing of the CQI information 712 may be relatively more flexiblethan the timing of the ACK information 718. Accordingly, in someconfigurations, the CQI information 712 may occur prior to the firstDMRS 714, as illustrated in FIG. 7. One of ordinary skill in the artwill understand that the CQI information 712 may additionally oralternatively be provided in various other portions of the UL FDDsubframe without necessarily deviating from the scope of the presentdisclosure.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 7, the SRS 702 occupies the firstsymbol of the UL FDD subframe. In comparison, referring to FIG. 5, someconfigurations have the SRS 514 as the last symbol of the UL FDDsubframe. Because the ACK information 706, 710 illustrated in FIG. 7 (i)occupies less of the UL FDD subframe relative to configurations and (ii)may occupy a later time portion of the UL FDD subframe relative toconfigurations, the SRS 702 occupying the first symbol may avoid ACKlink budget reduction and provide more time for a scheduler. After theSRS 702 in the first symbol of the FDD subframe, the UL FDD subframe mayinclude additional control information that is multiplexed with data ina frequency range that is different from the frequency range of theCQI/SR information 704, 708 and ACK information 706, 710. In this otherfrequency band, CQI information 712 may be included near a first DMRS714, and ACK information 718 may be included near a second DMRS 716.More specifically, in some examples, when data and control informationare multiplexed together, the CQI information is included prior to thefirst DMRS 714, and the ACK information 718 is included subsequent tothe second DMRS 716.

FIG. 8 is a diagram 800 illustrating yet another example of an UL FDDsubframe according to aspects of the present disclosure. In someconfigurations, the example illustrated in FIG. 8 may be referred to asan OFDM design without deviating from the scope of the presentdisclosure. In the example illustrated in FIG. 8, the SRS 802 is thefirst symbol of the UL FDD subframe, as described in greater detailabove with reference to FIG. 7. Also in the example illustrated in FIG.8, the control information includes CQI/SR information 804, 808 that istime-multiplexed with ACK information 806, 810, as also described ingreater detail above with reference to FIG. 7. Various aspects of theexample illustrated in FIG. 8 is described above with reference to theexamples illustrated in FIGS. 6-7 and therefore will not be repeated toavoid redundancy. The example illustrated in FIG. 8 additionallyincludes a number (e.g., four) of DMRSs 814, 818, 820, 824 in each of aplurality of frequency bands of the UL FDD subframe. One of ordinaryskill in the art will understand that the exact number of DMRSs may varybased on implementation and design parameters without deviating from thescope of the present disclosure. In some examples, CQI information 812,816 may be included near (e.g., prior to) some of the DMRSs 814, 818. Insome examples, ACK information 822, 826 may be included near (e.g.,subsequent to) some of the other DMRSs 820, 824.

FIG. 9 is a diagram 900 illustrating a further example of an UL FDDsubframe according to aspects of the present disclosure. In someconfigurations, the example illustrated in FIG. 9 may also be referredto as an OFDM design without deviating from the scope of the presentdisclosure. In the example illustrated in FIG. 9, the SRS 902 is thefirst symbol of the UL FDD subframe, as described in greater detailabove with reference to FIGS. 7-8. Also in the example illustrated inFIG. 9, the control information includes CQI/SR information 904, 908that is time-multiplexed with ACK information 906, 910, as alsodescribed in greater detail above with reference to FIGS. 7-8. Variousaspects of the example illustrated in FIG. 8 is described above withreference to the examples illustrated in FIGS. 6-8 and therefore willnot be repeated to avoid redundancy. Although the example illustrated inFIG. 8 includes CQI information 812, 816 near some DMRSs 814, 818 aswell as some ACK information 822, 826 near some other DMRSs 820, 824,the example illustrated in FIG. 9 does not include CQI information norACK information near the DMRSs 914, 918, 920, 924. In some example,multiplexing may involve power-sharing some of the resource blocks (RBs)of the UL FDD subframe.

Aspects of the present disclosure may enable the CQI information tocarry more data than may be carried in configurations of CQIinformation. For example, in configurations described herein withreference to FIG. 5, the CQI information may carry approximately 20bits. In comparison, the CQI information described according to aspectsdescribed herein with reference to FIGS. 6-13 may carry at least 100bits. Various approaches may be implemented to enable such aspects ofthe present disclosure. As a first example, the PUCCH may be scheduled.For instance, PUCCH resources may be explicitly scheduled and/ordedicated for carrying the CQI information. As a second example, in-bandcontrol may be implemented. For instance, an L1 header may be added tothe PUSCH that carries control information (which may include the CQIinformation, as described in greater detail above). The exampleinvolving in-band control may involve a certain level of PUSCH latencytolerance. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that theterm ‘CQI’ (as used herein) may include or be interchangeable withvarious other suitable terms or parameters without deviating from thescope of the present disclosure. For example, ‘CQI’ may refer to and/orbe interchangeable with channel state information (CSI). CSI may includesome aspects of CQI. CSI may also include aspects of other parameters,as may be known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

FIG. 10 is a diagram 1000 illustrating an example of various methodsand/or processes performed by a subordinate entity 104 according toaspects of the present disclosure. One of ordinary skill in the art willunderstand that such methods and/or processes may be performed by anyother suitable apparatus without deviating from the scope of the presentdisclosure. In some configurations, at block 1001, the subordinateentity 104 may transmit an SRS as an initial symbol of a subframe of anUL communication. For example, referring to FIGS. 7-9, the SRS 702, 802,902 is the first symbol in the UL FDD subframe. In some configurations,at block 1002, the subordinate entity 104 may receive schedulinginformation configured to dedicate one or more resources in a controlchannel (e.g., a PUCCH) for CQI information.

At block 1004, the subordinate entity 104 may transmit controlinformation in a frequency range of the UL communication. The controlinformation comprises CQI information and ACK information. The featurespertaining to block 1004 may be implemented in various configurationswithout deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.

In some configurations, the CQI information is time-division multiplexedin a common frequency range as the ACK information. For example,referring to FIGS. 7-9, the UL FDD subframe includes at least onefrequency range in which control information includes CQI/SR information704, 708, 804, 808, 904, 908 time-multiplexed with ACK information 706,710, 806, 810, 906, 910.

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that CQI informationand/or ACK information is/are relatively more power-sensitive than data.According to some aspects of the present disclosure, time-divisionmultiplexing may obviate power-sharing between the CQI information andthe ACK information. Put another way, because the CQI information andACK information are time-division multiplexed, the communication of theCQI information may not need to share power with the communication ofthe ACK information. Although power-sharing may apply (i) between CQIinformation and some data and/or (ii) between ACK information and someother data, data is relatively less power-sensitive than ACK informationand/or CQI information. In comparison, if the ACK information and theCQI information were frequency-division multiplexed, instead oftime-division multiplexed, the communication of the ACK information andthe communication of the CQI information may involve power-sharing.

In some configurations, the CQI information is transmitted prior to afirst DMRS. For example, referring to FIG. 7, the UL FDD subframeincludes CQI information 712 prior to the first DMRS 714. In suchconfigurations, the ACK information is transmitted subsequent to asecond DMRS. The second DMRS is subsequent to the first DMRS. Forexample, referring to FIG. 7, the UL FDD subframe may include ACKinformation 718 subsequent to the second DMRS 716.

In some configurations, the CQI information is transmitted in two ormore separate portions that are each prior to a separate DMRS. Forexample, referring to FIG. 8, the UL FDD subframe includes CQIinformation 812, 816 included prior to separate DMRSs 814, 818. In suchconfigurations, the ACK information is transmitted in two or moreseparate portions that are each subsequent to another separate DMRS. Forexample, referring to FIG. 8, the UL FDD subframe includes ACKinformation 822, 826 subsequent to separate DMRSs 820, 824.

In some configurations, at block 1006, the scheduling entity 102 maytransmit a header to a PUSCH. The header comprises additional controlinformation that includes additional CQI information. In some examples,the header may be an L1 header.

FIG. 11 is a diagram 1100 illustrating an example of various methodsand/or processes performed by a scheduling entity 102 according toaspects of the present disclosure. One of ordinary skill in the art willunderstand that such methods and/or processes may be performed by anyother suitable apparatus without deviating from the scope of the presentdisclosure. In some configurations, at block 1101, the scheduling entity102 may receive an SRS as an initial symbol of a subframe of an ULcommunication. For example, referring to FIGS. 7-9, the SRS 702, 802,902 is the first symbol in the UL FDD subframe. In some configurations,at block 1102, the scheduling entity 102 may receive schedulinginformation configured to dedicate one or more resources in a controlchannel (e.g., a PUCCH) for CQI information.

At block 1104, the scheduling entity 102 may receive control informationin a frequency range of the UL communication. The control informationcomprises CQI information and ACK information. The features pertainingto block 1104 may be implemented in various configurations withoutdeviating from the scope of the present disclosure.

In some configurations, the CQI information is time-division multiplexedin a common frequency range as the ACK information. For example,referring to FIGS. 7-9, the UL FDD subframe includes at least onefrequency range in which control information includes CQI/SR information704, 708, 804, 808, 904, 908 time-multiplexed with ACK information 706,710, 806, 810, 906, 910.

In some configurations, the CQI information is received prior to a firstDMRS. For example, referring to FIG. 7, the UL FDD subframe includes CQIinformation 712 prior to the first DMRS 714. In such configurations, theACK information is received subsequent to a second DMRS. The second DMRSis subsequent to the first DMRS. For example, referring to FIG. 7, theUL FDD subframe may include ACK information 718 subsequent to the secondDMRS 716.

In some configurations, the CQI information is received in two or moreseparate portions that are each prior to a separate DMRS. For example,referring to FIG. 8, the UL FDD subframe includes CQI information 812,816 included prior to separate DMRSs 814, 818. In such configurations,the ACK information is received in two or more separate portions thatare each subsequent to another separate DMRS. For example, referring toFIG. 8, the UL FDD subframe includes ACK information 822, 826 subsequentto separate DMRSs 820, 824.

In some configurations, at block 1106, the scheduling entity 102 mayreceive a header to a PUSCH. The header comprises additional controlinformation that includes additional CQI information. In some examples,the header may be an L1 header.

The methods and/or processes described with reference to any one or moreof FIGS. 10-11 are provided for illustrative purposes and are notintended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. The methodsand/or processes described with reference to any one or more of FIGS.10-11 may be performed in sequences different from those illustratedtherein without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.Additionally, some or all of the methods and/or processes described withreference to any one or more of FIGS. 10-11 may be performedindividually and/or together without deviating from the scope of thepresent disclosure. It is to be understood that the specific order orhierarchy of steps in the methods disclosed is an illustration ofexemplary processes. Based upon design preferences, it is understoodthat the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the methods may berearranged. The accompanying method claims present elements of thevarious steps in a sample order, and are not meant to be limited to thespecific order or hierarchy presented unless specifically recitedtherein.

Additional description pertaining to the present disclosure is providedin the Appendix filed concurrently herewith. The description herein isprovided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the variousaspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will bereadily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principlesdefined herein may be applied to other aspects. Thus, the claims are notintended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but are to beaccorded the full scope consistent with the language of the claims.Reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one andonly one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.”Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one ormore. A phrase referring to “at least one of” a list of items refers toany combination of those items, including single members. As an example,“at least one of: a, b, or c” is intended to cover: a; b; c; a and b; aand c; b and c; and a, b and c. All structural and functionalequivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughoutthis disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those ofordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by referenceand are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothingdisclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless ofwhether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. No claimelement is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f),unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or,in the case of a method claim, the element is recited using the phrase“step for.”

1. A method of wireless communication, the method comprising: receivinga grant for resources for a channel state information (CSI) report; andtransmitting the CSI report on the granted resources.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the granted resources are dedicated resources for CSIreports.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the granted resources arelocated in a header portion of a data region of a slot.